Presidential historian: ‘No president has been so racially insensitive’ as Trump

Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley dubbed President Trump the most racist president since Woodrow Wilson following Trump’s remarks referring to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries.”

“What Trump is doing has popped up periodically, but in modern times, no president has been so racially insensitive and shown outright disdain for people who aren’t white,” Brinkley told The Associated Press.

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The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Trump referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries” during an Oval Office meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on immigration reform.

The comments were reported one day before the eight-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti and days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Trump on Friday denied making “derogatory” comments about Haitians, saying he merely used “tough” language in the meeting. 

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 

Trump has faced backlash for his comments regarding race in the past. 

Critics slammed Trump in August after he said “both sides” were responsible for the racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Va., which was spurred by a white nationalist rally. 

The president has also caught heat for his comments and policies on immigration, particularly from Mexico and Muslim-majority countries.